My husband and I recently flew to Baltimore to visit our daughter and her family. There were several soldiers on the flight, and one of them sat across the aisle from me.

He was a young man in Army fatigues and I noticed he had a dazzling smile.

We were seated in the middle of the place. The flight was full.

An attractive, well-dressed, middle-aged woman was walking down the aisle toward the back of the place with her carry-on bag. The flight attendant suggested that she check her bag because there was no overhead space left to store it.

The woman reacted with great disgust and snapped, "I am NOT in the mood for this!"

I glanced at the solider across the aisle and we both smiled and rolled our eyes.

Then I started to get warm, since the AC had not yet been turned on. I began to fan myself with the flight information card and joked, "I am NOT in the mood for this." The young soldier laughed out loud.

When our plane landed in Baltimore, Joe and I stood up to depart. Joe reached out to shake this young soldier’s hand and thank him for his service. The young soldier responded, "I am in the MOOD to serve my country!"

Wow! And I am proud to add that this young soldier is from Auburn.

God bless our country and the men and women who enthusiastically serve to protect our freedoms.

FONCIE BULLARD

Point Clear

Both animal suffering and abortion are issues

Recent letters to the editor expressing outrage at the lack of attention given to the issue of abortion and the focus of attention on cruelty to animals are partly right.

For hundreds of years, animal suffering was ignored. But certainly, abortion deserves headline attention also. It is a reflection of the pitiless mind-set of a utilitarian new order that is trying to emerge.

Needless cruelty is despicable and should be condemned

wherever it is found. A ho-hum attitude toward the often desperate plight of animals is not condoned by a Creator who cares when even a sparrow falls.

As Christians, we should strive for the broad compassion exemplified by Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who spent much of his life helping both humans and animals.

I believe the helpless and the voiceless hold a special place in the eyes of the Creator.

ROGER STACEY

Stapleton

Where’s the outrage over trash in Mobile?

It is shameful to see the citizens of Mobile trash their beautiful city and our waterways, which we all enjoy. I am disgusted when I drive in Mobile and see trash everywhere.

We cannot continue to sit around and expect the government to clean up our city. Wake up and take personal responsibility.

Where is the outrage?

V.J. THOMPSON III

Mobile

This president has plans to tax rich Americans

I agree with the Feb. 11 letter, "Rich people’s money invested in companies." Our president has plans to tax the rich. This will cause more problems.

I was surprised to see some of the wealthy supporting President Obama. I then remembered what someone told me some time back: "Don’t leave your money in America, as it will be taxed."

He then told me to form a corporation in another country and let the profit go to that country. He told me the best place, as he saw it, was an island off the coast of Florida.

I guess if America goes broke, some of the wealthy will still have money. I wonder how many of the foreign companies are actually Americans that have invested in a foreign country